2. Prescription For Love

“That’s the plan.”

“You’re coming on Saturday, aren’t you?” Margie said to Flann. “To the barn raising?”

“As long as I’m not at the hospital.” Flann turned to Abby. “You know about it, don’t you?”

“Presley mentioned it,” Abby said. “It sounds like fun. I’ll be there, but I can’t promise I’ll be much help. I think Carrie is planning on a wedding summit meeting.”

“Oh, man,” Flann moaned. “This is turning into a big show.”

Abby laughed. “Of course! But don’t worry—you can busy yourself with hammering and whatnot.” “Thank God,” Flann muttered.

“So, Mom,” Blake said, finishing off the last of the grilled zucchini, “I’ve changed my mind about school.”

Abby set her wineglass down carefully, a jolt of fear running through her. If something had happened to make him want to change schools, he would have told her by now, wouldn’t he? “How’s that?”

Blake glanced at Margie. “I’m not going to study creative writing. I’m going to be a vet. Margie and I are going into practice together.”

Flann laughed. “That’s a great idea. Are you both going to do large animals or what?”

“Oh,” Abby said, trying to switch mental gears. Not a problem. Just teenagers being teenagers.

“You’ll set up around here?”

“Oh, sure,” Margie said. “I’ll do the large animal work, mostly. Blake will specialize in small animals and domestic pets, but we’ll cross-cover.” “Where are you planning to go to school?” Flann asked.

“We’re thinking Penn for vet school,” Blake said.

“And what about undergraduate school?” Abby said, running numbers in her head. Blake was smart and liked to study, but even a scholarship wouldn’t cover the cost of eight years of college and vet school.

“That’s to be determined.” Margie smiled at Blake. “But we’re thinking we’ll try for the same place.”

“Or at least close enough to see each other more than on holidays,” Blake qualified. “Maybe

Dartmouth or Yale.”

“Okay,” Abby said brightly. God, she needed to start budgeting a little bit differently. “Sounds like there’s going to be a lot of serious studying going on the next year or two.”

“Margie says we might be able to get part-time work or an internship at the vet hospital in

Saratoga.”

“You know Doc Valentine pretty well, don’t you, Flann?” Margie asked innocently.

Flann shot her a cautionary look. She and Sydney Valentine had dated for a while in college, but they’d gone their separate ways when Flann went off to medical school and Syd to vet school. Syd was still single, and they’d had one brief weekend reunion a few years back before deciding the passion of youth was not to be recaptured.

“I know her well enough to give her a call and see if there’s anything she could use you two for.” Margie grinned. “Awesome.”

“Thanks, Flann.” Blake stood. “We’re gonna meet Terry and Phil at Clark’s. I’ll be home later.”

“Uh-huh,” Abby said. “Why don’t you two carry in those dishes, rinse them off, and then you can go. If you’re riding your bikes, you need to be back by dark.” “We’ll walk,” Blake said. “Then we don’t have to be back—” “Until ten,” Abby said.

Blake grinned. “Right.”

“I’ll give you a ride home, Margie,” Flann called as the two teens hustled into the house. She glanced at Abby. “That is, if you don’t mind having me around for a few more hours.”

“I don’t mind at all,” Abby said. Earlier that day, she hadn’t wanted to be alone with Flann in the empty house. She’d thought at the time she hadn’t wanted to be tempted, and worse, hadn’t wanted to give in. What a difference the day had made. Flann’s kisses were addictive, but it was more than kisses or the way Flann’s possessive gaze made Abby feel sexy and sensuous and daring. Flann was addictive, with her intensity, her unexpected tenderness, her humor, and her hidden vulnerabilities. Now the idea of a few hours alone with her was anything but worrisome. No way would Blake and

Margie return early, and her bedroom had a nice breeze at night

if needed. “Let’s—”

“Let’s sit out front and finish this wine.” Flann picked up the half-empty bottle of Bordeaux and caught their glasses up by the stems in the other hand. “The sun’s about down now, but the moon will be out soon.”

“All right.” Abby led the way to the front porch. What had happened to Flann’s request for more kisses?

They sat side by side in the rockers and slowly sipped the dark, fruity wine as the moon rose beyond the town and the traffic noise faded away to be replaced by the near silence of a sleeping village. Abby’s house was at the far edge of town where Main Street drifted off into countryside, and soon even the lights from the village faded away.

“I used to think the night was empty because it was so quiet, but now I can hear the train whistle in the distance,” Abby said, “and the river lapping over the rocks, and the owls. It’s not empty, it’s alive.”

“Have you heard the coyotes?”

Abby laughed. “The first time I had goose bumps the size of thimbles all over my body. So eerie, yet so beautiful. It was after midnight, and I jumped up and rushed to the window, but I couldn’t see them.”